# 119-hr-5061: Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act 119-hr-5061, Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2] (R-NY); status in_committee; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-21). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-5061 - As of: 2026-09-21 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: 119-hr-5061 - Congress: 119 - Title: Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act - Status: in_committee - Introduced: 2025-08-29 - Sponsor: Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2] (R-NY) - Cosponsors: 6 - Policy area: Transportation and Public Works - Touches household money: yes - Last recorded action: 2026-09-21 ## Summary **Expands federal authority to detect, control, and disable unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).** It would set FAA performance standards, create approval pathways for airports and critical sites to run approved detection systems, and stand up a time‑limited pilot letting State and local law enforcement operate mitigation systems under strict conditions. - Airports and the national airspace would face new FAA powers to detect, identify, seize, disrupt, or destroy UAS and gain an Office of Counter‑UAS Activities to coordinate safety, testing, and approvals. The bill would require FAA site‑specific determinations and an airspace hazard testing program at five airports and other locations. - Covered entities and State or local law enforcement would gain application pathways to deploy approved detection systems and mitigation tools. DHS must approve or reject applications within 45 days or 90 days with a waiver and the initial mitigation pilot would include up to five participating agencies. - Manufacturers and operators would face new duties and limits. Small UAS makers must provide a safety statement at first activation that operators must acknowledge, and the bill restricts use of systems from certain foreign "covered manufacturers." Oversight includes joint Inspector General audits every 18 months and semiannual briefings to Congress. ## Cosponsors (6) - Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2] (D-MS), 2025-08-29T00:00:00.000Z - Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6] (R-MO), 2025-08-29T00:00:00.000Z - Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2] (D-WA), 2025-08-29T00:00:00.000Z - Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8] (D-MD), 2025-08-29T00:00:00.000Z - Rep. Gray, Adam [D-CA-13] (D-CA), 2025-10-21T00:00:00.000Z - Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2] (R-NJ), 2026-03-03T00:00:00.000Z ## Provisions PRIA read - Drone detection at major airports: benefit, high. If enacted, the FAA would test and deploy drone detection and mitigation at major airports. Up to 5 covered airports would get mitigation pilots within 2 years after the performance rules publish. Detection would roll out at large hubs within 30 months, at least 3 high-cargo airports within 12 mont… - FAA counter-drone standards and office: benefit, high. If enacted, the FAA must set minimum performance rules for counter-drone systems within 270 days and an airport plan within 1 year, with yearly updates. An FAA Office of Counter-UAS Activities would be created to lead planning and interagency work. The FAA could not hand off these new authorities t… - Let critical sites deploy drone detectors: benefit, high. If enacted, DHS would set up an application within 180 days so critical sites and certain events can run approved drone detection systems. Applicants would need to show a credible threat, a deployment plan, a law-enforcement agreement (or a waiver), and training. DHS must decide in 45 days (90 days… - Pilot: police can disable risky drones: benefit, high. If enacted, DHS would run a pilot, funded by Congress, that lets State and large local police use approved systems to mitigate risky drones for covered sites. The pilot would start within 60 days after the first system meets FAA performance rules, begin with up to 5 agencies (max 4 sites each), and… - More public reports on drone defenses: benefit, medium. If enacted, DHS would post an unclassified report within 180 days and every year on counter-drone actions and any communications interceptions. The FAA would brief Congress at least every 6 months and start notifying committees about new authorizations 180 days after enactment. Inspectors General f… - Safety notice when activating small drones: benefit, low. If enacted, small-drone makers would have to show you a safety statement at first activation and collect your electronic OK. The statement would explain key laws, flight restrictions, how to check if a flight is legal, safety tips, and penalties. The FAA must publish an example within 120 days and… - Higher fines for rule violators: cost, medium. If enacted, individuals and small businesses who break new detection or mitigation rules could face a higher maximum civil fine, equal to the cap used for larger entities. - Time-limited powers to stop dangerous drones: mixed, high. If enacted, the FAA would be able to detect, track, seize, disable, or destroy drones when needed to protect the national airspace or for testing. It could intercept drone-control communications only as allowed by the Constitution and federal law, and only as needed for the action. Records from int… - Limits on buying some foreign systems: mixed, medium. If enacted, the FAA could not acquire or approve counter-drone systems from certain foreign-tied covered manufacturers, unless the Transportation Secretary allows it for safety. No Federal agency could force an airport to buy or run these systems. Careless or reckless operation that harms airport s… ## Related bills - 119-hr-4275: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 - 119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025 - 119-hr-842: Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act - 119-hr-1269: Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025 - 119-hres-70: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should take all appropriate measures to ensure that the United States Postal Service remains… - 119-hr-8870: BUILD America 250 Act ## Sources - [119-hr-5061 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5061) ## Related - [119-hr-4275: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4275) - [119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3151) - [119-hr-842: Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage A…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-842) - [119-hr-1269: Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1269) - [119-hres-70: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should take…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hres-70) - [119-hr-8870: BUILD America 250 Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-8870) - [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-5061 (as of 2026-09-21).